Interesting article in the Daily Campus

Charleston Pony · Post by **Charleston Pony** » Mon May 27, 2013 3:39 pm

I've been preaching for years about how important attendance (or in our case the lack thereof) is in today's world of college athletics. With more and more games televised, that "game day" atmosphere is really an important part of marketing your program. Let's face it...SMU is 'bush league" and has been for years. I really liked the idea of football back on campus in a 32,000 seat stadium and I agree with the earlier poster who said we ought to be able to put 25k in no matter who we play. That's a pretty good looking crowd at Ford...and I like the idea of down sizing Moody. Hopefully an improved product will get us back to the days we could draw 5-6k no matter who we played.

While I don't think over priced beer at Ford/Moody is going to make a big difference, if it brings more people in to actually watch the games, then I'm all for it...but to those who think it's a solution, I think you are going to be disappointed. If we do sell beer, I hope the increased concession revenue will at least offset the cost of additional security that will be needed. For those who complain about those large crowds out on the boulevard who "head somewhere else" at game time...just remember that the majority of students would be underage drinkers and if it's all about getting that buzz (which I suspect in all too many cases is exactly what it's all about), they are not going to venture into Ford where you will have to be 21 to have another drink.

This is one of SMU's biggest challenges and there is no single solution. A combination of better products on the field/court, enhanced concessions (beer), and discount/free tickets (until the product sells itself) are needed to improve the situation.

I will say I was surprised to see the author of this article mention "free tickets" to students. I thought every student paid an activities fee that entitled you to "free" tickets. Has that changed?

Charleston Pony · Post by **Charleston Pony** » Mon May 27, 2013 3:49 pm

one more point:

keep playing TCU, Baylor and UNT. Local games vs local teams are always going to help attendance

WordUpBU · Post by **WordUpBU** » Mon May 27, 2013 4:16 pm

Charleston Pony wrote:one more point:

keep playing TCU, Baylor and UNT. Local games vs local teams are always going to help attendance

I think that will help the overall numbers both with visiting fans and with SMU fans as well (ok, maybe not UNT on that last part)

Another school to consider is BYU. They have over 14,000 alumni here, have a great reputation for traveling well, and will probably be willing to schedule later in the year as an independent as attendance drops late in the year for most schools compared to september.

skyscraper · Post by **skyscraper** » Tue May 28, 2013 12:04 pm

These threads/conversations remind me of what used to be an annual sports radio topic every summer...why is attendance at Rangers games so bad?
Every excuse was given...long drive, starts too soon after work, too hot, too expensive, bad food...everything.
Then they started winning and everything changed.
Just win and be relevant - it will change. And winning is not 7-5 & 6-6 campaigns...
In the interim, beer in the stadium would be nice.

SMU2007 · Post by **SMU2007** » Tue May 28, 2013 12:59 pm

What a novel idea.

Next crazy thing you're going to claim is that recruiting is somehow related to winning

PonySnob · Post by **PonySnob** » Tue May 28, 2013 2:03 pm

SMU2007 wrote:What a novel idea.

Next crazy thing you're going to claim is that recruiting is somehow related to winning

What's wrong with "diamond in the rough" and "under the radar" recruiting? One of our "diamonds" just got drafted in the second round!

BIGHORSE · Post by **BIGHORSE** » Tue May 28, 2013 8:05 pm

PonySnob wrote:
SMU2007 wrote:What a novel idea.

Next crazy thing you're going to claim is that recruiting is somehow related to winning
What's wrong with "diamond in the rough" and "under the radar" recruiting? One of our "diamonds" just got drafted in the second round!

That is the first positive thing you have ever said!!!

SMUer · Post by **SMUer** » Tue May 28, 2013 8:11 pm

Only we didn't recruit him, he was suggested by a track coach *whaa whaa whaaaa*

peruna81 · Post by **peruna81** » Wed May 29, 2013 12:28 pm

As has been mentioned earlier, old is new again.

1) Band Days...remember our high school participating in one in the early 70's, there are districts all over the area that would give a left arm for exposure and a 'bigger time feel' than just friday night.

2) Russ Pott's free ticket venues...it work(ed)(s).

3) Free ticket/local eatery and businesses tie-in...the airline mile idea is being done through other programs (Florida State), and could be MARKETED here...

4) Single out business or interest groups for promotion...not just MYF groups and churches, but Southwest Airlines, Law Enforcement, groundskeepers of Texas, whatever. They and their families get in free, and the exposure is beyond the price of the ticket. Again, Potts hit it on the head...you can sell a free ticket a coke and popcorn, but an empty seat generates no revenue.

5) Personally, through a phone call or personal letter, contact the area/state alumni that are not coming to the games, and ASK THEM WHY THEY DO NOT ATTEND. Be ready for some hard answers to hear, and then be willing to work the problem.

6) this pains me to say as a Baptist minister...sell Adult Beverages.

7) Market. It has been said before, and needs to be same song sally'd to death..if TCU puts a billboard on Central, then pay the price and do the same. Our product is years behind in the success category, but MUCH better in the overall packaging, even with AGC being updated.

8 WIN. In everything. Pay any price (ok, insert joke here...the right way to PAY) to find the best coaches, and recruit the best athletes. Dallas and the nation recognize winners...it is the reason we will be traveling to NJ and TN rather than down I-35 to play our 'rivals'.

end of rant...I feel no better, I think, but the rant felt good.

ghost · Post by **ghost** » Wed May 29, 2013 12:36 pm

Does SMU admit students based on their academic and extra-curricular activies such as sports. Do they question prospective students as to their passion when it comes to sports? If not then these students will be apathetic while at SMU and later on as alumni. Is a student who returns to China or India or California after graduation going to be as passionate toward SMU sports as one who is from Texas and in particular North Texas.....I don't think so. So if SMU has students and alumni who as a whole don't care why should anyone else?

ponyboy · Post by **ponyboy** » Wed May 29, 2013 1:12 pm

BIGHORSE wrote:
PonySnob wrote:
SMU2007 wrote:What a novel idea.

Next crazy thing you're going to claim is that recruiting is somehow related to winning
What's wrong with "diamond in the rough" and "under the radar" recruiting? One of our "diamonds" just got drafted in the second round!
That is the first positive thing you have ever said!!!

The timing of this is so funny. While I have PonySnob on my ignore list, sometimes I just can't stand myself and have to look, thinking maybe just maybe he'll have something positive to say just this one time. But, alas, no. Never. A moment ago, I almost replied to one of his "penciled in" jokes to ask him if he ever had anything positive to say -- but then I think to myself, what good will it do. Then I read this post. Go PonySnob!

PonySnob · Post by **PonySnob** » Wed May 29, 2013 4:16 pm

ponyboy wrote:The timing of this is so funny. While I have PonySnob on my ignore list, sometimes I just can't stand myself and have to look, thinking maybe just maybe he'll have something positive to say just this one time. But, alas, no. Never. A moment ago, I almost replied to one of his "penciled in" jokes to ask him if he ever had anything positive to say -- but then I think to myself, what good will it do. Then I read this post. Go PonySnob!

And yet I've been supporting football and basketball since the late 80's. It's very rare that I'm not at a home game in either sport.......

ponyboy · Post by **ponyboy** » Wed May 29, 2013 4:19 pm

This is supporting? In all seriousness, you do get some street cred showing up at games. Would that all SMU fans did the same.

I'm 46 and have been attending all football games since I was 13 or 14. Wish I could claim to be as faithful on the basketball front.

smustatesman · Post by **smustatesman** » Wed May 29, 2013 4:39 pm

Hmmmmmm, lets see....46 - 14 = 32....since about 1981.......so your the reason we were put on the death penalty and have never really made it back, in the big time sense. Maybe if you stayed away from a few of the home games we could see if that improves attendance and winning.

lwjr · Post by **lwjr** » Wed May 29, 2013 6:49 pm

It was once mentioned on here and I think it is worth trying, why not try to get the UTA, Dallas Baptist and other area college students whose schools do not field football programs interested in attending SMU games. Charge them student ticket prices and figure a way to get to the game, make them part of the BLVD experience and get them back to their school. Chances are you might find kids who actually want to attend and WATCH THE GAME TO THE END. Who knows you might end up finding a future big donor.
Maybe this is already being discussed, I don't know.

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